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302 DARWIN (CHARLES)

Series of 4 A.Ls.s. and 2 Ls.s. (text in the hand of his son Francis Darwin, the botanist), 12 pages, 8vo, Down and Leith Hill Place, 18 September 1877-15 March 1879 and one dated by day of month, to the Belgian botanist Leo Errera: he agrees to examine a manuscript by Errera and G. Gevaert criticising his own conclusions on Primula elatior, refers to his own "The Different Forms of Flowers", and comments on their work:

... I wish I had used some such terms as 'autogamy', 'xenogamy' &c. I certainly agree with you on the a priori probability of geitonogamy being more advantageous than autogamy ...

He thanks Errera for pointing out a "bad erratum", and encourages him to "experimentize on inconspicuous flowers", he himself being too old; in 1879, he thanks the two Belgians for their book, inscribed to himself, and comments favourably on their views and observations, he encourages their "labours in the good cause of science", and asks for Errera's photograph for his album; together with 5 original envelopes, brief autograph notes by F. Darwin and Errera identifying these letters, and an autograph note to Errera, probably concerning Darwin's death, with envelope.

*** The lot includes five autograph drafts by Errera for his letters to Darwin in this correspondence, including his initial enquiry and discussing the scientific question involved, c. 11 pages, in pencil, 1877-9.

Also included in the lot are 3 A.Ls.s., 2 autograph postcards and other communications by Francis Darwin to Errera, 1882-99 (concerning professional matters, discussing busts of Charles Darwin, and requesting copies of Charles Darwin's present letters); and 13 A.Ls.s. and 1 postcard s. by F. Darwin to Mme. Errera, 1914-21; with many envelopes.

Provenance: The Property of Louis Le Jeune, Esq. Buyer: Sessler